You can get rid of a black eye with many home remedies. We’ll look at home remedies for black eyes and the stages of healing in this article. If your black eye was caused by a minor injury, there are a variety of ways to treat it. Read on for remedies often used to get rid of a black eye fast or maybe overnight.
Black eye occurs when blood pools under the skin in the eye area, which often results from something hitting the face or head. While most black eye occurs after an accident or injury, they can also occur after surgery.
If you have a black eye or bruises around the eye, you might experience discomfort, blurred vision, inflammation, and headaches. They can result from bruising on the tissue around the eye.
Additionally, black eye and inflammation can occur due to various reasons, including nasal injuries, jaw surgery, facelifts, allergies, etc.
While the black eye is generally not serious, it can be indicative of a much more serious injury, such as a skull fracture. If your vision changes or if you experience ongoing pain, you should see your doctor.
Nevertheless, if your eyelid skin is cut or experiencing symptoms such as giddiness, nausea/vomiting, and vision issues, you should immediately consult with your doctor.
You may combine natural cures for dry eye with black eye prevention if you suffer from dry eye with a black eye.
Table of Contents
Home Remedies for Black Eye
Here are a few home remedies for black eye commonly used and recommended treatments at home. Consult a doctor if these home remedies do not help.
1. Ice Pack
As soon as possible, apply an ice pack to the affected area. That is, use the ice pack within a couple of days of the injury. The ice will reduce inflammation and reduce internal bleeding, helping the healing process. It will also reduce bruising.
Application: Wrap an ice cube in a cotton or muslin towel and place it over the eye for around ten minutes. During the first day, repeat several times a day to help relieve the pain. Ice should never be placed directly on the eye and shouldn’t be rubbed on sensitive skin and around the eye.
Food items in frozen packs such as meat, fruits, or vegetables should never be used. Because you might expose yourself to bacterial and eye infections.
2. Warm Compress
It is recommended to apply warm compresses after two to three days of having a black eye. It will assist in boosting blood flow to the area and speed up the healing process.
Application: The towel should be dipped in warm water and squeezed out the excess water. Apply the towel softly to the skin until the towel appears cool. Repeat this process many times a day. If this does not hurt, you may also gently rub the area. This will boost blood flow and remove dried-out blood beneath the skin.
If you experience pain while rubbing or still have swelling, you should not use this remedy.
3. Vitamin C
There is no evidence that vitamin C can heal the black eye. However, many people claim it does. This could be a result of low vitamin C levels during the treatment of bruises.
Choose foods that are rich in vitamin C, such as gooseberries, guavas, peppers, limes, lemons, broccoli, mangos, and oranges. As an alternative, you can take a daily supplement of vitamin C to keep your system well nourished. Vitamin C aids in the thickening of vein walls, which assists in the recovery process.
4. Calendula Helps to Get Rid of Black Eye
The herb calendula, or marigold, is effective in reducing swelling and speeding up the healing process after an injury. It is typically used to treat inflammation and bruising in connection with a black eye.
Application: Place a few petals off from fresh calendula flowers in a cup of warm water. Then let it steep for 10 to 15 minutes and then place it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Soak a clean cloth in this awesome remedy and place it over your black eye for about five minutes. Repeat this a few times over a couple of days to get rid of a black eye fast.
Repeat this a couple of times for a couple of days to get rid of a black eye.
5. Arnica – Black Eye Treatment Cream
Inflammation typically occurs due to a black eye and arnica is an herb that can help soothe the skin and eye muscles. It could also cure any other tissue affected by the black eye.
Using arnica immediately after a bruise appears prevents the bruise from getting worse. Arnica cream can be obtained at any supermarket and applied over the affected area. Arnica is available in creams, ointments, and oils. Apply it to the area a few times a day.
It’s safe to apply arnica to your skin, but it can cause serious damage if you get it in your eye. Be cautious when applying it to your eye.
6. Pineapple and Papaya
The fresh fruits pineapple and papaya have abundant antioxidants that can be used to treat black eye. They both help you recover faster after sustaining virtually any type of injury that discolors your skin.
They contain enzymes that make your skin softer and heal it. For the best results, you may either:
- You can apply the pulp of these fresh fruits externally around the blackened part of the eye.
- Drink fresh fruit juices or eat fresh fruits to treat the black eye.
7. Witch Hazel
A black eye can be treated effectively with witch hazel. It is known for its powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. Here are the two methods of application to get rid of black eyes.
Put a natural cotton pad soaked in witch hazel around the affected eye for a few minutes. It will produce a soothing and healing effect.
Use chamomile essential oil, witch hazel, and water to make a remedy for the black eye. Dip a clean towel in the solution and place it over the eyelid and around the area. Repeat this procedure 2 to 3 times a day.
8. Natural Oil
Inflammation and swelling can be relieved by applying quality, natural oils to the affected area. Olive oil is the best choice because it contains numerous bruise-curing properties as well as the ability to get rid of a black eye fast.
Coconut oil or castor oil can also be used. Be gentle when rubbing the oil on since too much pressure can cause more discomfort.
9. Potato
Inflammation and pain can be reduced with potatoes, making this a cheap and effective home remedy.
Peel and cut a medium-sized potato into thicker slices. Put the potato slices in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Then, place the potato slices on the affected eye for 30 minutes.
Alternatively, you could grate a potato and squeeze out its juice, then apply it to the eye. You may also try cucumber pieces or chilled tea bags.
10. Comfrey Roots
An excellent home remedy for a black eye is comfrey root, which reduces pain and some bruising.
Applications:
- Make a paste by grinding one teaspoon of comfrey root with a little water. Apply the paste to the affected area daily.
- Make a comfrey root tea, soak a towel into the warm tea, and place it on the injured area. This is also effective for treating a black eye.
How long does it take for a black eye to heal?
A black eye usually heals within two weeks. However, it depends on the following factors for every individual:
- the extent of your injury
- age
- your general health
- how best you care for your black eye
Speedy recovery is possible with these options:
- Rest – Take a break from physical activities that pose a risk for eye injuries.
- Avoid pressure on the eye. When using ice or a warm compress, don’t press too hard. Use extra gentle pressure when massaging it.
- Elevate your head – You should elevate your head when you’re not sleeping to avoid letting blood pool in your eye area.
When to See a Doctor?
After you have tried home remedies to treat your black eye, observe carefully. If there is no improvement, see a physician as soon as possible. These are things to consider before seeing a doctor:
- increased swelling around the eye
- increasing discoloration
- lack of ability to move your eye.
- red or painful eye
- change in vision, including blurriness and double vision
- dizziness
- numbness in the cheeks or teeth
- throwing up
- consciousness loss
- constant headache
- ear or nosebleed
Takeaway
There are several effective home remedies for treating black eyes. Here are the key takeaways:
- Ice Pack: Apply within a couple of days after injury to reduce inflammation and bruising, using caution to avoid direct contact with the eye.
- Warm Compress: Recommended after 2-3 days to improve blood flow and facilitate healing; avoid if it causes pain or swelling.
- Vitamin C: Though lacking direct evidence, foods rich in vitamin C or supplements might aid in recovery by strengthening vein walls.
- Calendula: Effective in reducing swelling and aiding healing when applied as a cooled infusion on the affected area.
- Arnica: Helps soothe skin and eye muscles; use immediately after injury to prevent worsening bruising.
- Pineapple and Papaya: Rich in antioxidants and enzymes, these fruits can speed up skin healing when applied externally or consumed as juices/fruits.
- Witch Hazel: Known for anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties; application with cotton pads or in solution with chamomile oil can help soothe and heal the black eye.
- Natural Oils: Olive, coconut, or castor oil can reduce inflammation; apply gently to avoid discomfort.
- Potato: Helps reduce inflammation and pain when applied as slices or juice to the affected area.
- Comfrey Roots: Reduces pain and bruising; can be applied as a paste or in a tea-soaked towel to the affected area.
The article also advises on the general healing time for a black eye (around two weeks) and offers recommendations for faster recovery: rest, avoiding pressure on the eye, and elevating the head. It also provides warning signs indicating the need for medical attention if home remedies show no improvement. These signs include increased swelling, persistent discoloration, vision changes, dizziness, numbness, vomiting, loss of consciousness, or persistent headaches.
8 Sources:
Noble Home Remedies relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations for accuracy and reliability while avoiding tertiary references. Our editorial policy provides more information about how we ensure our content is accurate and up-to-date.
- Orbital Ecchymosis (Black Eye)
https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9780822396086-017/html - Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Effect in Animal Models of Calendula
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3270572/ - Herbal Treatment for Dermatologic Disorders
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92761/ - Arnica
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/arnica - 5 Things to Know About a Black Eye
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/5-things-to-know-about-black-eye - Comfrey
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https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/black-eye